Texas forest and woodland landowners can receive up to $80,000 for reforestation practices on their property after natural disaster losses. Texas A&M Forest Service’s Texas Resilient Landscapes Initiative is offering $3.2 million in cost-share funding over the next four years.
Forest and woodland landowners in Texas are eligible for cost-share funds through Texas A&M Forest Service to help replant native trees. (Sam Craft/Texas A&M AgriLife)
The initiative is focused on supporting reforestation efforts in areas vulnerable to risk of loss from disaster or environmental change. The agency is accepting funding applications now through Jan. 23.
“Forested and riparian ecosystems across Texas are increasingly threatened by natural disasters and weather extremes,” said Erin Davis, Texas A&M Forest Service program coordinator. “This cost-share initiative will help landowners replant their properties with native woodland species to establish a more resilient and sustainable forest for the future.”
Landowner eligibility and allowances
Non-federal, non-industrial forest landowners, including tribal and local governments, are eligible. Tracts must be 10-150 acres in size and lost trees to a natural disaster, disease or weather extremes in the past 10 years.
Reimbursable practices include:
Site preparation through shredding or mulching at $168.75 per acre or prescribed fire at $27.50 per acre.
Planting trees through bareroot or containerized seedlings at $5.60 per seedling, riparian live cuttings at $375 per acre and/or direct seeding at $337.50 per acre. Landowners must include one type of planting in the planned practices.
Temporary browse protection or barriers to prevent animal damage at $4.90 per seedling.
“Reforestation is an essential part of sustaining the next generation of trees in our forests and woodlands,” Davis said. “We hope to support the restoration of natural landscapes by providing funding to landowners who may have lost trees to natural causes such as fire, flood, disease and drought.”
The program will prioritize projects in areas with gaps in existing funding opportunities for landscape-scale forest restoration and recovery, such as the woodlands in Central and West Texas. Texas A&M Forest Service will notify awardees by Feb. 20.
For additional information, enrollment steps and the application, visit the grant financial assistance website.
